בֵּיצָה
𐤁𐤉𐤑𐤄
bêytsâh
H1000 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Egg, the fertilized or unfertilized reproductive body of a bird, commonly used of bird eggs and once metaphorically in the Hebrew Bible. The term refers specifically to the egg as an object distinct for its biological and culinary function, and is used both literally (egg as food or young life form) and, in poetic contexts, as an image for vulnerability or value.
Semantic Range
egg (literal, of birds), egg as food, egg as image of vulnerability or value (figurative)
Root / Etymology
From the root בוץ (b-w-ts), whose core meaning is 'white, whiteness.' The noun בֵּיצָה derives from this root, likely referencing the color of the eggshell. The lexical meaning is more specific than the root's broad sense of 'whiteness,' signifying the tangible object (egg) rather than abstract color.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בֵּיצָה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Deut 22:6; Job 6:6; Isa 10:14). In Deuteronomy 22:6, the word concretely describes eggs in a bird's nest, regulating humane treatment of birds and their eggs. In Job 6:6, it is used culinary, referring to egg white. In Isaiah 10:14, בֵּיצָה appears in a metaphorical or poetic context, likening Israel or the nations to eggs that can be effortlessly seized by the conqueror, conveying helplessness or desirability. The term is distinct from related agricultural or biological vocabulary (e.g., עוּף for bird, זֶרַע for seed). Later translation traditions, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, render the term as 'egg,' reflecting the primary sense but sometimes missing nuances of value or fragility present in poetry. The meaning is consistent across biblical periods, with no evidence of significant semantic shift. English translations capture the literal meaning but sometimes miss the metaphorical resonance. Unlike later rabbinic Hebrew, where the term can have culinary or ritual purity implications, Biblical Hebrew keeps the sense concrete and occasional.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as בּוּץ; an egg (from its whiteness); egg.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בוצ (b-w-ts) — white, whiteness, pale
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1000-05 |
מִ/בֵּֽיצֵי/הֶם֙ | mibeytseyhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
of their eggs | from their eggs | 1 |
H1000-02 |
בֵּיצֵ֤י | beytsey | HNcfpc |
eggs | eggs of | 1 |
H1000-01 |
בֵּצֶ֑י/הָ | betseyha | HNcfpc/Sp3fs |
her eggs | her eggs | 1 |
H1000-03 |
בֵּיצִ֣ים | beytsim | HNcfpa |
eggs | eggs | 1 |
H1000-04 |
הַ/בֵּיצִ֑ים | habeytsim | HTd/Ncfpa |
the eggs | the eggs | 1 |
H1000-06 |
בֵיצִ֔ים | veytsim | HNcfpa |
eggs | eggs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1000-06 |
Deuteronomy 22:6 | בֵיצִ֔ים | veytsim | HNcfpa |
eggs | eggs |
H1000-04 |
Deuteronomy 22:6 | הַ/בֵּיצִ֑ים | habeytsim | HTd/Ncfpa |
the eggs | the eggs |
H1000-03 |
Isaiah 10:14 | בֵּיצִ֣ים | beytsim | HNcfpa |
eggs | eggs |
H1000-02 |
Isaiah 59:5 | בֵּיצֵ֤י | beytsey | HNcfpc |
eggs | eggs of |
H1000-05 |
Isaiah 59:5 | מִ/בֵּֽיצֵי/הֶם֙ | mibeytseyhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
of their eggs | from their eggs |
H1000-01 |
Job 39:14 | בֵּצֶ֑י/הָ | betseyha | HNcfpc/Sp3fs |
her eggs | her eggs |